Counsel, Commercial

NextDecade; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company based in Houston, Texas, seeks a legal professional to provide oversight and support for its LNG project. The role involves drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with various teams. The ideal candidate holds a J.D. or L.L.M., is licensed to practice law, and has extensive experience in corporate or transactional law, particularly within the energy sector. This position requires excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, emphasizing integrity and safety.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of post-qualification experience in corporate or transactional law, preferably in LNG or large-scale energy projects.
• Proficiency in drafting and negotiating various complex commercial agreements.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment with competing demands.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on commercial issues for LNG project.
• Draft and negotiate commodity sale agreements for transactions.
• Oversee compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Skills

Commercial agreements negotiation

Legal compliance expertise

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

J.D. or L.L.M. from an accredited law school

Job description

About Nextdecade Corporation

NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to reliable, lower‑carbon energy. We are focused on delivering secure and cost‑effective energy through the safe and efficient development and operation of natural gas liquefaction capacity at Rio Grande LNG. Through our subsidiaries, we are developing and constructing the Rio Grande LNG natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Brownsville, Texas, with approximately 48 MTPA of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction or in development, sufficient space at the site for up to 10 liquefaction trains, and a potential carbon capture and storage project. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.

Summary Of The Role

The successful candidate will provide general legal oversight, guidance, support and leadership on a wide variety of commercial matters for NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG project and business and NEXT Carbon Solutions’ emissions reduction carbon capture business. The successful candidate will oversee the review, analysis, interpretation and administration of natural gas supply and transportation agreements, power purchase agreements, shipping agreements, LNG purchase and sale agreements and the joint venture arrangements governing the foregoing for the Rio Grande LNG project. This may include drafting, negotiating, interpreting and advising on commercial agreements for the company, and research and advice on compliance scenarios and adherence to compliance standards within the context of commercial activity. The successful candidate will also articulate the legal and ethical standards for NextDecade’s commercial organization, ensuring communication and training as necessary. The successful candidate will interact with both domestic and international counterparties and collaborate with multi‑functional teams.

The successful candidate will work both independently and as part of various teams and take on special projects and assignments in addition to the typical daily activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide on‑the‑spot advice and guidance on key issues - both commercial and legal
• Ensure commercial risks are understood and mitigation is widely exercised
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commodity sale and purchase agreements for domestic and international transactions covering natural gas, power and emissions and using bespoke and standard forms and documents, including collateral support documentation [experience with forms published by ISDA, EEI and NAESB a plus];
• Draft, review, and negotiate procurement agreements related to commercial activities, including non‑disclosure agreements, services agreements, professional services agreements, and consultancy agreements
• Assist with claims and disputes under the guidance of the Associate General Counsel, Commercial
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education, Skills, Experience, & Competencies

• Education: J.D. or L.L.M. from an accredited law school
• U.S. bar licensed and in good standing
• 6+ years of post‑qualification experience in corporate or transactional law, with LNG or large‑scale energy sector project development experience highly preferred
• Experience drafting and negotiating a wide range of complex commercial agreements with a solution‑oriented approach
• Experience managing workload in a high‑pressure environment with competing demands
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management capabilities
• Experience in the oil and gas industry or power industry highly preferred

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment with occasional work within or outside of a complex construction environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers/fax, filing cabinets, etc. This is primarily a sedentary role; however, the incumbent must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform all essential job functions for a full shift.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with ADA‑recognized disabilities to perform the essential functions for the job.

• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary
• Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing on a stool, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions
• While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent may be required to talk or hear
• The incumbent is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms
• Ability to move throughout all areas of each office/site location and facilities
• Able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire

NEXTDECADE VALUES

• Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us
• Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do
• Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions
• Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work
• Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders
• Diversity – We value diversity of experiences and thoughts. It takes people with different strengths and backgrounds to make our company succeed

NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].